Beach Drive in Kensington will close from Aug. 30 through early June 2022 for Bridge Replacement; Pedestrian Path to be Disrupted Only for a Few Weeks

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 12, 2021

Beach Drive in Kensington, between Kensington Parkway and Old Spring Road, will be closed from Aug. 30 through early June 2022 as the two-lane bridge carrying Beach Drive over Silver Creek will be replaced. Traffic will be detoured through MD 185 to MD 192 to Stoneybrook Drive and Beach Drive.

Pedestrian traffic is temporarily halted as a new permanent pedestrian bridge is being constructed on an altered trail alignment. Work on the new pedestrian bridge is now underway. The pedestrian bridge will be open after paving and railings are installed at the end of the month.

Construction on the vehicle bridge will take place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Occasional Saturday work may be necessary. Residents living near the site may hear construction-related noise during those hours.

A 2020 bridge inspection revealed that the bridge’s steel arches are in poor condition. The south parapet has been removed above two arches and temporary concrete traffic barriers have been put in place. This project will allow the bridge to be restored to full capacity. The project is being partially funded with Federal funds.

The work to be done includes replacement of the two-lane bridge, relocating Rock Creek Trail to a separate alignment, constructing a pedestrian bridge crossing of Silver Creek and removing the right turn lane of Kensington Parkway at Beach Drive. The project will also plant trees, incorporate landscaping and erosion control measures.

For questions about construction, please contact the MCDOT Onsite Construction Representative Glenn Hane at Glenn.Hane@montgomerycountymd.gov or MCDOT Field Supervisor Bill Sittinger at Bill.sittinger@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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Release ID: 21-634
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta 240-372-2282
Categories: Transportation